Smart Talk

Smart Talk is a daily, live, interactive program featuring conversations with newsmakers and experts in a variety of fields and exploring a wide range of issues and ideas, including the economy, politics, health care, education, culture, and the environment. Smart Talk airs live every week day at 9 a.m. on WITF’s 89.5 and 93.3.

witf Capitol Bureau Chief Mary Wilson provides insight into a few of the stories that will have the most impact on Pennsylvanians.

Mary also talks with Cathleen Palm of the Center for Children's Justice about legislation that is designed to protect kids from abusers and predators. Gov. Corbett may be putting his signature to the bills soon. What will they do to protect children?

Could anything have protected the 20 children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December 2012? A gunman, who was mentally ill, shot and killed the students and six teachers and administrators at the school.

Mark Barden's seven-year-old son Daniel was one of the victims at Sandy Hook. Mr. Barden now is part of Sandy Hook Promise, a group that advocates for policies that stop gun violence. He's appear on Smart Talk Friday to discuss his support of a proposal to expand gun purchase background checks in Pennsylvania.

Political Junkie Ken Rudin is back with his inside take on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week that could bring a whole lot more money into political campaigns.

Finally, a local theater is on the lookout for Monty Python fans and plan to have some fun with it.

Sep 4, 2014 | Scott LaMar

Post a comment

Comments: 4

Elizabeth writes...
Hi Scott,
We regulate cars/speed on road, etc. We also regulate what the public can ingest (drugs/food/supplements/etc) all because of potential danger. Yet we still enjoy those alcoholic drinks that we like, we have plenty of driving pleasure. We manage to take in what we like in food & supplements. Why is it so different to regulate guns/amo amount on a clip/power of the gun?

Blaine emails...
Love the show.
Would Someone PLEASE explain to me how Money = Speech, Webster and my children know they are not the same thing. I guess our only hope now is for transparency ie. Donor disclosure.

Eugene says...
Money DOES result in influence. If it did not, people wouldn't give such large amounts in order to gain influence. None of these large donors spend their money without there being something in it for them. They aren't stupid. We are if we believe otherwise.

Is the public ever going to see evidence that this event actually occurred as described? Why was the crime scene destroyed before the police report was released? Is Mr. Barden an operative playing the role of a parent who has lost a child? This guy is a fraud IMO.

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